Dedication and Open House Dates Announced for the Vancouver British Columbia Temple

The
First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
has announced dates for a public open house prior to the dedication
of the new Vancouver British Columbia Temple. The public will be
invited to visit the temple during an open house that will run from
Friday, 9 April 2010, through Saturday, 24 April 2010 (except for
Sundays). The temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, 2 May
2010. A total of three dedicatory sessions will be held (see
official invitation card).

“We have looked forward to
having a temple in our area for many years and are thrilled that we
can now invite our friends and neighbors to see this place that
holds so much meaning to us as followers of Jesus Christ,” said
Paul D. M. Christensen, president of the Abbotsford Stake (similar
to a diocese) and the local temple committee coordinator.

Temples are considered
"houses of the Lord" where Christ's teachings are reaffirmed
through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families
for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the
purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus
Christ and their fellow man.

It is customary for
Latter-day Saints to open the doors of their temples to the public
before they are dedicated. It is expected that tens of thousands of
visitors will come to this temple open house to tour the temple and
learn about the highest sacraments of the faith that take place
there.

When the temple is formally
dedicated, it will be open to members of the Church who are
actively engaged in the faith — unlike the thousands of ordinary
church buildings that are open to everyone for regular Sunday
services, regardless of religious affiliation (see
Newsroom article explaining difference between chapels and
temples).

The Vancouver British
Columbia Temple will serve approximately 22,000 members of the
Church living in British Columbia and northern Washington state.
Nearly 180,000 Church members live in Canada.

Speaking to the entire
Church in October, President Thomas S. Monson said: “We continue to
build temples. We desire that as many members as possible have an
opportunity to attend the temple without having to travel
inordinate distances. Worldwide, 83 percent of our members live
within 200 miles (320 km) of a temple. That percentage will
continue to increase as we construct new temples around the
world.”

The Vancouver British
Columbia Temple was announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley,
former worldwide leader of the Church, 25 May 2006. Ground was
broken for the temple’s construction on 4 August 2007. When
completed it will be the 131st operating temple in the world and
the seventh in Canada.

Formal temple work will
commence at the Vancouver British Columbia Temple on Monday, 3 May
2010.

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